Week 8 of the 2022 NFL season is in the books. Last week’s streamers were mostly a success. Jared Goff, Andy Dalton, and PJ Walker all scored at least 16.7 fantasy points last week. Furthermore, Goff and Walker each had over 300 passing yards, while Dalton had two passing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Daniel Jones struggled despite an appealing matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The former first-round pick had only 176 passing yards and failed to score a touchdown.
However, the only easy win was last week’s win. So, let’s look at the top streaming options for Week 9.
All the quarterbacks in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN 1-QB leagues and in under 25% of superflex leagues.
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Streaming Targets in 1-QB Leagues
Justin Fields (QB – CHI) vs. Miami Dolphins (26.2% Rostered)
After a slow start to begin the year, the second-year quarterback has picked up his play lately. He averaged only 16.8 pass attempts and 9.4 fantasy points per game over the first four games this year. However, the Fields has averaged 23 passing attempts and 21.2 fantasy points per game over his past four games, scoring at least 17 fantasy points in every contest. More importantly, the Bears have made Fields a critical part of their rushing attack. The young quarterback has averaged 62.7 rushing yards per game over the past six weeks, totaling at least 47 yards in every contest.
Last week Fields scored a season-high 26 fantasy points against a talented Dallas Cowboys defense. This week he faces a much weaker opponent. The Dolphins have struggled to slow down opposing passing attacks this season. They have surrendered 272.6 passing yards, 1.5 passing touchdowns, and 19.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Furthermore, quarterbacks have thrown two or more touchdowns against Miami in half of their games this season. Fields has scored 23.4 or more fantasy points in back-to-back games against talented defenses. The young quarterback should have his third game in a row with 20 or more fantasy points this week.
Marcus Mariota (QB – ATL) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (23.9% Rostered)
While the veteran quarterback has thrown fewer than 30 pass attempts in every game since Week 1, Mariota has averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game during that span. Last week he had arguably his best performance of the season, throwing for 253 yards, three touchdowns, and scored 22.4 fantasy points in the overtime win against the Carolina Panthers. More importantly, Mariota scored 22 or more fantasy points for the second time in the past three weeks. While the veteran has averaged only 20 pass attempts per game over the past month, he has been a force with his legs, averaging 46.3 rushing yards per game during that span.
This week Mariota faces a struggling Chargers defense. Los Angeles had their bye in Week 8. However, they have surrendered 15.9 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Furthermore, the Chargers have given up 1.9 passing touchdowns per game this year, giving up two or more in 71.4% of their games. More importantly, the Chargers have surrendered at least 230 passing yards or two touchdowns in all but one game this season. Mariota doesn’t have top-five upside this week, but he can be a solid bye-week replacement for Dak Prescott.
Streaming Targets in Superflex Leagues
Andy Dalton (QB – NO) vs. Baltimore Ravens (20.4% Rostered)
The former Cincinnati Bengal made last week’s streamers list and scored 17.2 fantasy points in the win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran had 229 passing yards and two touchdowns last week after throwing for 361 yards and four touchdowns the week before. More importantly, he got his fifth-straight start last week. The Saints announced Dalton would be the starter despite Jameis Winston being healthy enough to play. Meanwhile, the former TCU star has been the QB2 over the past two weeks, thanks to his 590 passing yards. The good news for Dalton is that the Ravens have struggled to slow down passing attacks this season.
Baltimore historically has always had a strong defense. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case this year. The Ravens have surrendered 18.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, giving up 17 or more fantasy points in three of their past five games. Furthermore, they have given up 285.6 passing yards per game this season, one of the highest averages in the NFL. Baltimore has surrendered over 300 passing yards in half of their games this season, including last week. If Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry play this week, Dalton has top-five upside against the Ravens.
Taylor Heinicke (QB – WAS) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9.1% Rostered)
Since taking over for an injured Carson Wentz, Heinicke has made some solid throws and some questionable ones. However, he has thrown for at least 200 yards in each game he has started this season. More importantly, Heinicke is averaging 240 passing yards, 1.5 passing touchdowns, and 18.3 fantasy points per game in his two starts. Last week, the backup quarterback had three total touchdowns in the win over the Indianapolis Colts and scored 22.1 fantasy points, his highest fantasy total since Week 11 last year.
While last week’s matchup was tough on paper, Heinicke gets a more favorable matchup in Week 9. The Vikings have given up 18.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Furthermore, they have surrendered 20.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks since Week 1, giving up 22.5 or more fantasy points in half of those games. Minnesota has also struggled to keep opposing teams out of the end zone lately, giving up 744 passing yards and five passing touchdowns over their past two matchups. Heinicke isn’t a starting-caliber quarterback, but he has the grit and weapons needed to take advantage of Minnesota’s secondary.
Streamer to Avoid
Zach Wilson (QB – NYJ) vs. Buffalo Bills (10.2% Rostered)
Typically streaming articles tell you which players to target off the waiver wire. However, I will give one quarterback each week that you should avoid.
The second-year quarterback has been wildly inconsistent since returning from a knee injury. Wilson has averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game this season but has scored under 7.3 fantasy points in 40% of those games. Furthermore, he has thrown only three touchdowns in five games compared to five interceptions, including three last week against the New England Patriots. While the young quarterback had a career-high 355 passing yards last week, it came in a loss and resulted in only 16.4 fantasy points. He had only 231 passing yards over the previous two weeks by comparison.
More importantly, Wilson has an awful matchup in Week 9 as the Bills come to town. Buffalo has held opposing quarterbacks to only 11.4 fantasy points per game this season. Furthermore, they have held quarterbacks not named Patrick Mahomes to only 10.1 fantasy points per game, giving up 15.2 or fewer fantasy points every game. The Bills have also given up more than one passing touchdown in only two games this season, surrendering two to Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. Wilson will struggle against his AFC East division rival this week.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.